2015 1y66
The Executive Council of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF) has unanimously elected Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Board Member and General Manager of the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA), as one of the ARF’s two Vice-Chairmen. This is the first time a representative of the ERA has been appointed to a senior leadership role in the ARF. 6d5g30
Singapore Turf ClubSouth African trainer Patrick Shaw won his third S$1.3m, SGroup 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) after Cooptado (ARG), under champion apprentice jockey-elect Shafiq Rizuan, landed the time-honoured race in a close finish over Fastnet Dragon (AUS) at Kranji on Sunday.
History was created at Flemington on Tuesday, November 3rd, when Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to the win the Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m).
The Japanese Victorian Spring Racing Carnival entrants Fame Game (JPN) and Hokko Brave (JPN) were third acceptors this week for the $3.15m, Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 17th.
Nakayama hosted the 49th Group 1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m), the 8th leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, on Sunday to commence the new Group 1 season in Japan.
Mr Andrew Harding, the Secretary General of the Asian Racing Federation, was named the Executive Director of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) following the General Assembly of the IFHA on October 5th.
The recent Singapore Turf Club announcement confirming the discontinuation of the Singapore International Races, specifically the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m), prompted the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chairman’s Sprint Prize’s promotion to full Group 1 status from its hitherto local Group 1 designation.
As racing winds down in the Northern Hemisphere, the South African trainers are starting to wind up their stars for the summer season. The summer season starts with the Johannesburg features in October and November, before the action moves down to Cape Town in December with the first of the three-year-old Classic races, the Group 1 Cape Fillies Guineas, followed by the colts’ equivalent, the Group 1 Cape Guineas, two weeks later.
The 36th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) is being held in Mumbai, India, from January 24th to 29th, 2016, commencing with a race day at Mahalakshmi Race course of the Royal Western India Turf Club. Ltd, featuring the Grade 1 Villloo Poonawalla Indian Oaks, an Indian Classic for four-year-olds.
Spring in Australia brings the onset of spring racing carnivals in Sydney and Melbourne with international visitors, including from Asian Racing Federation countries, preparing for the Victorian Spring Carnival over the coming weeks.
Mr Andrew Harding, the Secretary General of the Asian Racing Federation, has been promoted to Executive Director, Racing Authority of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), in a move that will enhance his work with Asian Racing Federation .
The 36th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) is being held in Mumbai, India, from January 24th to 29th, 2016 with Early Bird Registration closing on September 30th.
Korean racing celebrated an historic racing double at the end of August with Korean apprentice Dong Soo Kim winning the 7th Asian Young Guns Challenge and Choegang Schiller (USA) ridden by Lee Chang Ho becoming the first ever Korean trained winner of the Asia Challenge Cup.
The Singapore Turf Club recently announced that it has discontinued the international Group 1 races, the Singapore Airlines International Cup (SIA Cup) and KrisFlyer International Sprint (KFIS).
The economic impact of major racing carnivals and meetings in Asian Racing Federation countries was emphasised by the 2015 renewal of the richest race in Africa, the R3.5m, Group 1 Vodacom Durban July (2200m) at Greyville, Durban, on July 4th.
Horseracing in Korea dates back to the 1920’s with the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) formed in 1942. Sadly the Korean War stalled racing’s development in the 1950’s with the country’s racetracks all used for military training. Fortunately the facilities were quickly restored after the war by the KRA and 1988 Summer Olympics saw the building of an equestrian venue that was later to become the Seoul Race Park.
There are nine international runners representing Asian Federation countries running at the Royal Ascot meeting in June with four from Australia and Japan and one from Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s 2014/15 Group 1 season concluded in late May when the Tony Cruz trained Helene Super Star (USA) gave the conditioner a hat-trick of wins in the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m).